This is a brief rundown of what is being reported today in Vietnam’s state-approved media and some others.
It compiles coverage from official outlets like Dan Tri, Tuoi Tre, and VN Express, highlighting the narratives currently shaping the country’s economic, financial, and business news landscape.
TikTok investment HCMC
VnExpress is reporting that TikTok has invested US$125 million in Ho Chi Minh City through TikTok Shop Vietnam, part of nearly US$2.9 billion in foreign direct investment in the first quarter. View source→
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Halal market ambitions
Dan Tri is reporting that Vietnam is seeking to expand exports into the global Halal market, estimated at about US$5 trillion and projected to reach US$10 trillion by 2028.
Ho Thi Quyen of the Ho Chi Minh City Investment and Trade Promotion Centre said the market is driven by a Muslim population of over 1.9 billion and rising demand in the Gulf Cooperation Council and Southeast Asia.
Vietnam’s participation remains limited, with only about 0.2 percent of firms holding Halal certification, and most exports concentrated in low-value products, the article says. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Noted in the context of recent food safety issues linked to corruption and lax regulatory enforcement.
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Trade minister in US
Reuters is reporting that Vietnam said it is willing to increase imports of United States goods, particularly machinery and high technology products, during tariff negotiations in Washington.
The article notes that Trade Minister Le Manh Hung met executives from companies including Apple, Exxon Mobil, General Electric, AES and Excelerate Energy during the visit. View source→
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Malt producer losses mount
Dan Tri is reporting that Duong Man Joint Stock Company, once the only malt producer in Vietnam and Southeast Asia, has fallen into negative equity after years of continuous losses.
The firm is part of Hoa Binh Group, founded by Nguyen Huu Duong, known for major real estate projects in Vietnam. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Parent company built the gold hotel in Hanoi that opened right before COVID. It was up for sale at one point a year or two ago, but not clear on what has happened with it.
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Average monthly income
The Investor is reporting that Vietnam’s average monthly household income reached VND21.9 million (US$831) in 2026, up from VND21.3 million (US$809) in 2025, according to a survey conducted by Q&Me Vietnam Market Research.
Incomes in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi averaged VND26.7 million (US$1,013), compared to VND20.6 million (US$782) in other regions.
Ed.’s notes: Average wage in Vietnam VND 9 million in Q1 2026, according to statistics office data.
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Government holds firm on 10% growth target
VnExpress is reporting that Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said Vietnam will maintain its economic growth target of 10 percent or higher despite global volatility.
He said challenges should be used to drive economic restructuring and improve competitiveness while maintaining macroeconomic stability and controlling inflation. View source→
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Possible visit from Japan PM
Nippon is reporting that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is considering a visit to Vietnam, according to Japanese government sources.
Vietnam has asked Japan for assistance in securing oil supplies, the article notes, with Takaichi prepared to explore how Japan can help. View source→
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Fuel supply till end-April
The Investor is reporting that Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan has said Vietnam’s fuel supply is expected to remain stable through the end of April.
The article cites increased domestic oil output of about 10 percent in March and imports of around 3.2 million cubic meters, lifting inventories to 2.6–2.8 million cubic meters. View source→
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Renewable energy firms’ losses
Vietnamnet is reporting that several Vietnamese renewable energy firms reported heavy losses, with Hong Phong 1 posting a net loss of VND180.7 billion (US$6.86 million), reversing a VND71.3 billion profit.
Losses were driven by high debt and financing costs, the article says.
It also notes that wind and solar projects operate under fixed feed-in tariff contracts, limiting revenue growth despite rising global energy prices. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Adds to narrative around renewable energy sector challenges.
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Embattled steel maker looking to expand into other sectors
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that local steel maker, SMC Investment Trading Joint Stock Company, has proposed a major capital increase to repay debt and support restructuring plans through 2026–2031.
The company plans to raise about VND368 billion (US$13.97 million) from a rights issue to repay loans and supplier debt.
It also plans to restructure its operations and expand into sectors including digital infrastructure, housing, renewable energy, and green logistics. View source→
Ed.’s notes: The idea that it might grow into other sectors might speak to how it sees the overall health of the steel sector.
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Average wage in Vietnam Q1 2026
Workers’ incomes in Vietnam continued to improve in the first quarter of 2026, with average monthly income reaching VND 9.0 million (US$342), up 3.8 percent from the previous quarter and 8.5 percent year on year, according to the latest release from the National Statistics Office. Read the full article →
March inflation
Vietnam’s inflation accelerated in March 2026, with the Consumer Price Index rising 1.23 percent month on month and 4.65 percent year on year, marking the highest March increase in five years, according to the latest release from the National Statistics Office. Read the full article →
Q1 trade data
Vietnam’s merchandise exports recorded strong growth in the first quarter of 2026, supported by continued expansion in foreign-invested manufacturing and a sharp rebound in March shipments, according to the latest release from the National Statistics Office. Read the full article →
Q1 FDI data
Vietnam’s registered foreign investment surged in the first quarter of 2026, reflecting a sharp increase in large-scale project approvals and capital inflows, according to the latest release from the National Statistics Office. Read the full article →
Q1 retail sales data
Vietnam’s retail and services sector expanded strongly in the first quarter of 2026, driven by holiday consumption and rising international tourist arrivals, according to the latest release from the National Statistics Office. Read the full article →
Q1 Industrial Production Index
Vietnam’s industrial sector maintained strong momentum in the first quarter of 2026, with the Industrial Production Index rising 9.0 percent year on year, marking the fastest first-quarter expansion since 2020, according to the latest release from the National Statistics Office. Read the full article →
Q1 GDP growth
Vietnam’s economy expanded 7.83 percent year on year in the first quarter of 2026, accelerating from 7.07 percent in the same period last year, with growth broad-based across sectors and led by industry and services, according to the latest release from the National Statistics Office. Read the full article →
Electricity production February
Vietnam produced 24.58 billion kWh of electricity in February, up 24.19 percent from 19.80 billion kWh in January, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office. Read the full article →
Imports from Philippines February
In February, Vietnam imported US$161.89 million worth of goods from the Philippines, down from US$246.98 million in January, a change of -34.45 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. Read the full article →
Exports to Belgium February
In February, Vietnam exported US$213 million worth of goods to Belgium, down 34.63 percent over January, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. Read the full article →
Fruit and veg imports February
Vietnam imported fruits and vegetables to the tune of US$193 million in February, down from US$372 million in January, a change of -48.02 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. Read the full article →
Plastic products exports February
Vietnam exported plastic products to the tune of US$459 million in February, down from US$701 million in January, a change of -34.50 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. Read the full article →
Imports from Italy February
In February, Vietnam imported US$134.11 million worth of goods from Italy, down from US$194.49 million in January, a change of -31.04 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. Read the full article →
Exchange rates Friday
On April 3, in Vietnam, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 27,480 and the sell rate was VND 27,520, a change of 60, and 50, respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 27,500 (up 0.20 percent), according to prices quoted by Ty Gia USD. Read the full article →
Stock market Friday
The VN-Index closed at 1,684.04, down 10.78 points or 0.64 percent, with a total trading value of VND 21,128.89 billion or US$801.86 million, and foreign traders net-selling US$59.54 million worth of equities, Friday, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange. Read the full article →
Imports from UK February
In February, Vietnam imported US$74.11 million worth of goods from the UK, down from US$74.21 million in January, a change of -0.14 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. Read the full article →
Friday’s Vietnam news roundup
In Friday’s Vietnam news: Trump trademark applications, MPS plans to shore up stock market, CPJ condemns journalist’s 8-year sentence, Financial support for cultural industries, Boat operator fined for installing Starlink without approval, UK renewables firm funding VN projects, Chinese rubber form factory HCMC, Adjustments to petrol price calculations, Revised fines for anti-competitive behaviour, HOKA opens Hanoi store, Tax reduction on kerosene / mazut proposed, Provisional anti-dumping rates Chinese steel, Environmental monitoring tampering, Fuel price hike, the-shiv advertising rate card / April 2026, Stock market Thursday, Exchange rates Thursday, and more. Read the full article →